Israel - January 2025

On 9 January, Israeli Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar introduced a new judicial reform bill aimed at restructuring the Judicial Selection Committee. This move follows earlier judicial reform proposals made in 2023, some of which were struck down by the Supreme Court in 2024 following widespread protests. The new proposed changes include replacing the two representatives of the Israel Bar Association with one lawyer appointed by the government coalition and one by the opposition, thereby increasing political representation on the committee. Additionally, the bill seeks to reduce the majority required for Supreme Court appointments from the current 7-2 to 5-4. A mechanism to prevent deadlocks in the event of persistent vacancies is also included. Observers warn that, despite being presented as a 'compromise solution,' the new bill could politicize judicial appointments and undermine the judiciary's independence if enacted.

Sources: The Jerusalem Post, The Times of Israel, The Israel Democracy Institute